Terminal fittings and interlocking devices



Oct. 3, 1961 M. M. HANNoosH ET AL 3,002,590

TERMINAL FITTINGS AND INTERLOCKING DEVICES Filed Feb. s, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 3, 1961 M. M. HANNOOSH ET AL TERMINAL FITTINGS AND INTERLOCKING DEVICES Filed Feb. 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .9 7 5'/ z c; za ,4 352 ze United States Patent O 3,002,590 TEAL FITTINGS AND INTERLOCKING DEVICES Mitchell M. Hannoosh, Wakefield, Lee P. Farnsworth, Lancaster, Thomas F. King, Burlington, and 'Fausto G. De Santis, Westwood, Mass., assignors to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force Filed Feb. 3, 1959, Ser. No. 790,992 3 Claims. (Cl. 189-1) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to building construction, and more particularly, to the interlocking of structural members comprising a building framework.

Copending patent application, Serial No. 790,991, discloses a building structure fabricated in accordance with preselected structural and electrical considerations, and including an electrical-conductive framework and electrically-non-conductive membranes through which electromagnetic wave energy can be transmitted and received. The copending application referred to points out advantages forthcoming from the use of such a building structure, particularly as a large radome device in climates subject to adverse weather conditions, such as are prevalent in the Arctic.

The present invention is concerned with terminal and interlocking means employed in the aforementioned copending application and in another copending application, Serial No. 790,990, wherein a novel framework configuration is disclosed, for terminating and interlocking structural members forming parts of larger frameworks fabricated in accordance with the principles disclosed in said copending applications.

It has been shown in the detailed description in said copending applications that the transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through an electrically conductive framework, which is electrically and structurally superior to frameworks fabricated from electrically nonconductive materials, is dependent upon the geometrical disposition of members, the openness or effective cell size between members, and the cross-section of members, Additionally, it was shown that insofar as length and cross-section were concerned, if the length to wavelength ratio and the cross-section to wavelength ratios of electromagnetic wave energy to be transmitted and received through the electrically-conductive framework were greater than 4 and less than 0.25, respectively, energy could efficiently pass through openings in the framework. Furthermore, it was shown that the icosidodecahedron and trapezoidal hexacontehedron configurations could be suitably subdivided for structural purposes without adversely affecting the transmissibility of energy through an open framework fabricated from interlocked electrically-conductive members in accordance with said configurations. Thus, members for fabricating the larger frameworks were preselected in accordance with both structural and electrical considerations. A standard member configuration was evolved to satisfy these criteria. However, it became necessary to devise a means for interlocking members comprising the framework which would not only provide sufficient rigidity for members so joined, but which would not interfere with the transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through the framework.

lt is an object of the present invention to provide an interlocking device for securing members comprising a framework of a building, which device results in a rigid framework, and simultaneously, does not interfere with the transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through the building.

ice

It is a second object of the present invention to provide a substantially standardized interlocking device for securing the multitude of members comprising a framework of a building, which device results in a rigid framework, and simultaneously, does not interfere with the transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through the building.

It is a third object of the present invention to provide an interlocking device which is rigid and compact, and suitable for securing in place members comprising a framework, and which does not interfere with the transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through the framework.

It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide an interlocking device which is rigid and compact, and suitable for securing in place a plurality of substantially large members, comprising a framework, without interfering in any appreciable manner with the transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through the framework.

It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a device for securing in place a plurality of members comprising a framework for a building, the device being rigid and compact and of proper size so as not to interfere with preferred electrical characteristics of the framework for efficiently transmitting and receiving electromagnetic wave energy through the framework.

It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a device for rigidly interlocking in place a plurality of members terminating at substantially a common terminal in the fabrication of a framework, which framework has preferred electrical characteristics substantially unaffected by the presence of the device.

It is a seventh object of the present invention to provide a device for rigidly interlocking in place a plurality of spaced members terminating variedly at substantially a common terminal in the fabrication of a framework, the device resulting in a substantially rigid framework structure, which is substantially unaffected electrically by the presence of the device.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a terminal interlocking device for securing in place a plurality of members comprising a framework structure of a building, such as those described in said aforementioned copending applications. However, the present invention is not limited to the size, shape, or configuration of the members or the framework fabricated from the interlocking of such members or to the materials from which such members are fabricated. Broadly, the invention is applicable to any framework fabricated from individual structural members which are interlocked to form a rigid structure. Thus, in order to reduce the size of a joint or hub required to secure in place a plurality of members converging on a common terminal, or tie point, arrowhead adapters are provided for securing said plurality of members to a hub, with only a minimum of space required therefor. For a given framework configuration, the hubs can be substantially standardized in size and fabricated to accommodate a plurality of preselected adapters, which are secured at one end thereof to converging members, and which are secured at another end thereof to the hub. In this manner, substantially large members comprising a framework can be rigidly secured in place to a substantially small terminal. Additionally, in fabricating frameworks with preselected electrical characteristics the terminal interlocking device can be used without interfering with the efficient transmissibility of electromagnetic wave energy through the framework. Furthermore, in certain climates selected for fabricating a building with preselected electrical characteristics it will be advantageous where possible to connect members comprising the framework with means such as bolts, rather than by welding techniques.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent and comprehensible by referring to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of a building to which the invention may be applied, said building being fabricated with an electrically-conductive framework and enclosed with electrically non-conductive membranes, which building can be employed as a radome device;

FIG. 2 is a planar view of the manner in which, according to the invention, members comprising the framework are interlocked at a terminal hub and depicts the arrangement for carrying membranes on the members; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the manner in which members are attached to the hub taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. l, there is shown an embodiment of a building fabricated from an electricallyconductive framework 12, comprised of metal members 14 interlocked at hub terminals 16, and enclosed or covered by electrically non-conductive membranes 18. The hub terminals are best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and are described in detail subsequently. An antenna device 17 and an energizing source 19 of electromagnetic wave energy may be housed within the building, which is fabricated to function as a radome device.

As previously mentioned in copending application, Serial No. 790,991, standard members were selected for fabricating a preferred embodiment of a building with preselected electrical characteristics. Members had a length between l2 and 15 feet, overall height 51/2 inches, width 3 inches, and wall thickness 1/2 inch. Additionally, a preferred configuration was set forth for membranes used to enclose a framework fabricated with interlocked members disposed in a preselected configuration. Except for some membranes occurring -at the base, the general configuration of the membranes is substantially triangular and said membranes have anged ends for securing them in place to interconnected members. Additionally, a neoprene seal is used to line the outer edges of the member, as indicated at 21.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown the manner in which members converging at a common terminal are secured rigidly in place. For example, five members 14 may terminate at a common terminal as shown in FIG. 2 during the erection of the framework. The hub 16, fabricated from a metal, such as aluminum, can be provided for securing one end of the members. The other end of the members can be secured to another hub or to the other hubs, depending on the configuration of the framework. In the icosidodecahedron configuration described in copending application, Serial No. 790,990, ve or six members terminate at hubs so that the hub can be standardized to accommodate members terminating at various points in the configuration. Each hub is provided with a plurality of pairs of spaced openings 23 and 24 along radii thereof and are utilized for securing one end of an arrow-head adapter 25 having openings 26 and 27 therein, to the hub with a minimum of space required therefor. Two openings 28 and 29 are provided in another end of the adapter. This end of the adapter is insertable into the open core of the member for securing the member thereto. Two bolts and nuts 31 and 32 and two bolts, washers, and nuts 33 and 34 are provided for securing the adapter to the hub and to the member. A circular bushing 36 is provided and is positioned between the openings 24 and 27 to prevent shearing of the bolt under attendant forces.

By using arrow-head adapters, a plurality of large members can be secured to a substantially small hub with a minimum of space required therefor. Thus, the hubs,

which are preferably fabricated from a metal for large frameworks, can be made small, and do not interfere with the electrical characteristics of the framework. Additionally, by the proper selection of the material and dimensions of the hub, a rigid framework may be erected. Thus, the hub is selected in accordance with structural and electrical considerations just as members are selected.

A completed hub terminal is provided, with a circular cap 41, a sealing gasket 42, and an extension ring 43 for waterproofing the interior of the building. These components are assembled after membranes are positioned and secured in place by the fastening device described in copending application, Serial No. 790,990.

Standard members are provided with a plurality of grooves or channels along the length thereof. Outer grooves 46 and 47 are provided for inserting the flanged ends of membranes therein, as shown. The seal functions to cushion contact between the metal member and the plastic membrane and is also useful in waterproofing the building. Inner grooves 51 and 52 have a flanged lip portion at one end thereof for attaching a fastening device 57 thereto to clamp and retain a membrane insertable in said groove 51 or 52.

The fastening device 57 is comprised of a hold-down strip with a plurality of threaded bolts included in a plurality of openings therein with a plurality of special locknuts attached thereto and held in place by spring devices. The locknuts are insertable in the inner grooves 51. and 52 when the hold-down strip is positioned over a membrane fitted in place and covering the opening defined by a plurality of interlocked members. When the bolt is rotated approximately degrees, the locknut is released and rides on the bolt until it clamps the membrane in place. In the assembled condition, membranes clamped in place and carried by the members form a circular configuration around the hub.

The circular cap 41` has a central opening 71 therein which mates with a threaded opening 72 in the hub and is held in place with a bolt and washer 73 inserted therein. The cap may be fabricated from a thin metal, such as aluminum. The circular sealing gasket 42 is positioned around the cap and is held in place by the circular extension ring 43 which is secured to the ends of the cap by a plurality of spaced screws, washers, and nuts 74 in a plurality of mating openings in the cap and ring.

Having described the principles of the present invention, it is desirable that the scope of the present invention not be limited by the size and quality of materials selected for fabricating a framework structure. Accordingly, it is desirable that the scope of the present invention be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building structure, a plurality of frame-forming strut-like connectors having hollow, box-like end portions, a hub assembly including a circular core element having openings of graduated sizes in angularly spaced positions about the periphery of said core element, a series of tapering coupling elements disposed radially of the center o f said core element, said coupling elements having opemngs therein of graduated sizes to match the openings in said core element, and being alignable therewith, said coupling elements having radial extensions fitting within the hollow box-like end portions of said strut-like connectors, and means for securing said coupling elements to said strut-like connectors, and also to said core element. 2. A building structure as defined in claim 1, including a protective cap enclosing said circular core element, protective membranes enclosing said strut-like connectors, and means for forming a watertight seal between said membranes and said core cap.

3. In a building structure, a plurality of frame-forming strut-like connectors having hollow box-like end portions, a circular hub assembly toward which said connectors converge, coupling elements joining said connectors to said hub assembly, each of said coupling elements having one portion thereof tting within one of said box-like end portions of one of said connectors, and having another portion thereof in at-surfaced abutment with said hub assembly along a radially disposed sector of said hub assembly, and a plurality of throughbolts securing said coupling elements to said connectors and hub assembly.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Loudy Feb. 6, 1934 Curran May 12, 1942 Feser Mar. 7, 1950 Fentiman July 21, 1959 

